Knockdown reel

ABSTRACT

A knockdown reel comprising a tubular hub and having a pair of similar end flanges disconnectably attached to opposite ends of the hub by latching means capable of being released in order to separate the end flanges from the hub and thereby minimize the space consumed by said components in packaging, shipping and storing reels of this type. Actuation of the latching means is possible either manually or by relatively simple tools. The hub also may be made of a plurality of separable parts to further facilitate compactly arranging the components for the purposes described.

nited States Patent 191 Campbell July 9, 1974 [54] KNOCKDOWN REEL [76]Inventor: Kenneth E. Campbell, 4063 Old Exammer qeorge Mautz OrchardYork Pa. Attorney, Agent, or FlrmC. Hercus Just [22] Filed: Nov. 24,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 309,143

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1878 Fay 242/] 18.4 1/1971Hacker 242/1 18.61 9/1972 Snyder 242/73 57 ABSTRACT A knockdown reelcomprising a tubular hub and having a pair of similar end flangesdisconnectably attached to opposite ends of the hub by latching meanscapable of being released in order to separate the end flanges from thehub and thereby minimize the space consumed by said components inpackaging, shipping and storing reels of this type. Actuation of thelatching means is possible either manually or by relatively simpletools. The hub also may be made of a plurality of separable :parts tofurther facilitate compactly arranging the components for the purposesdescribed.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures v 1 KNOCOWN REEL I BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to so calledknockdown reels of the type which, at present, comprise cylindrical ortubular hubs of predetermined length having latch members on oppositeends thereof engageable with recesses formed in various ways indisc-like flanges which are connected to said opposite ends at the timethe reels are to be used. Reels of, this type are shipped to theconsumers in knocked down condition for purposes of compactness. Up tothe present time, designing of latching means which permitted readyassembly of end flanges to the opposite ends of a tubular hub has beenaccomplished as is evident from prior art discussed below. Thedifficulty in this industry apparently has been the designing oflatching means which, in addition to permitting ready assembly of endflanges to the oppo site ends of a tubular hub also permitteddisengagement of the flanges from the hub so that, for example, thecomponents could be returned, for example, to the supplyer of strand orribbon like material normally merchandised upon such reels andthusprovide certain economies.

Reels of the type to which the present invention pertains are consumedin large quanties by manufactors and users of strand material such aselectric wiring, both insulated and non-insulated, coils of long-stripsof connected elements formed on punch presses and the like such aspartially formed electric contact elements, strips or ribbons of foiltype material of such nature as to require being coiled upon reelshaving end flanges for protection, and many other types of similarproducts. Reels of this type quite commonly are formed at present fromcertain synthetic resin compounds, or plastics, while others are formedfrom sheet metal in variousways. Depending upon the strength required oflatching means to hold the end flanges to the opposite ends of the hub,the thickness and composition of the material is selected so as to beappropriate to withstand the normal handling, such as in winding,unwinding and the shipping of the products,,without accidentaldisassembly of the components of the reel or injury to the products andmaterials wound upon the same. For example, if the reel is to handlerelatively light weight material, reels of fairly substantial diametersand lengths may be formed from plastics of desired strength. Conversely,heavy materials compared to the volume thereof, particularly if ofsubstantial width, require reels formed from appropriate metal. In thelatter catagory, relatively heavy tie-bolts are used to secure largeflanges, formed from either metal or wood, against the opposite ends ofsuitable hubs, such reels being of the type used to transport and storeheavy electrical conduits and cables for example. In general, thepresent invention pertains to reels of a less heavy construction thanthose referred to immediately above but, where applicable, theprincipals of the present invention may be employed for purposes ofholding even so called heavy-duty end flanges connected to the oppositeends of similar heavy-duty hubs.

2. Description of the Prior Art Patents pertaining to so calledknockdown types of reels are minimal. Included among these are US. Pat.No. 3524604, to J. A. Morris, dated Aug. l8, 1970, and

US. Pat. No. 3552677, to g 5, .1971. Although both of these patentsemploy flexible tongues on the opposite ends of the hub members whichhave laterally extending projections engagable with shoulders inapertures in the end flanges which receive the latching elements,neither of the reel structures are of such nature as to permitunlatching of the connecting means so as to effect separation of the endflanges from the hub members after the same have been assembled. Hence,such reels are not capable of being dis-assembled, for example, aftermaterial coiled thereon has been consumed and it is desired to returnthe reel in compact, knocked down condition so as to minimizeshipping'cost. It will be understood that, in particular, reelsmanufactured from synthetic resin of substantial size, such'as the orderof about 12 inches in diameter and 6 inches long have a worthwhilesalvage or return value if the cost of returning the same by shipping isless than the value of the reel and particularly if the reel readily canbe knocked down without injury to the components thereof. Larger sizeshave greater salvage value.

The present invention comprises a knockdown reel consisting of a hubhaving latching means on opposite ends thereof engagable withlatch-receiving means in opposite end flanges, the connection of thelatching mechanism being such as to permit ready disassembly of the endflanges from the hub when the latching members are moved in unlatchingdirection, details of which are setforth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principle object of the presentinvention to provide a knockdown reel comprising a tubular hub memberand a pair of similar end flange members each having a short sidewallwhich extends axially from one surface thereof and is complementary incrosssectional shape to the ends of the hub member which are adaptedrespectively to telescopically engage opposite ends of said hub member,said members having on the telescopically engaging portions thereofreleaseable locking means which not only effectively secure a pair offlange members to the hub member but, readily permit unlatching of thelatch elements of the locking means to permit disassembly of the flangemembers from the hub members and thus minimize the space occupied by thecomponents and thus effect economies in packaging, shipping and storingthe same.

Another object of the invention is to provide said short side wall oneach end flange member in the form of a shallow socket extendingoutwardly from the normal innersurface of each end flange member andhaving a bottom wall extending across the outer end of said socket, saidouter wall being provided with a bearing hole to receive a shaft uponwhich the assembled reel may be mounted and rotated.

A further object of the invention is to provide radially extendingopenings at circumferentially spaced locations around saidaforementioned short side walls on the end flange members for purposesof receiving radially extending locking abutments on the outer ends oflatch elements formed respectively on opposite ends of the tubular hubmember and adapted to be received within said radially extendingopenings in said short side walls to releaseably lock the end flangemembers to the opposite ends of said tubular hub member.

Hugh I-I. Hacker, dated Jan.

Still another object of the invention is to form said latch elements onthe opposite ends of the tubular hub member so as to be substantiallyco-extensive in length with said hub member.

A still further object of the invention is to form said end flangemembers in such manner that the short side wall thereon which definesthe shallow socket extends axially outward beyond the outer surface ofthe end flange members, in coaxial relationship with the hub member,whereby the openings which extend radially through said side wall of thesocket permit ready contact with the locking abutments on the latchingfingers of the hub member when the end flange members are assembled withsaid hub member and thus readily permitting unlatching the latch membersfrom said openings.

One other object of the invention is to provide the latching elements inthe form of a strip of metal disposed within longitudinally extendingrecesses formed preferably in the inner-surfaces of the tubular hubmember, at circumferentially spaced relationship to each other, the endsof said metal strips initially being longer than the hub member and theprojecting outer ends of said strips being bent backwardly respectivelyover opposite ends of the hub member, at a very sharp acute angle to theaxis of the hub member, whereby said ends constitute locking abutmentsreceivable within the openings in the side walls of said shallow socketsof said end flange members.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as otherobjects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and areillustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an end elevation of aknockdown reel embodying the principals of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the reel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded vertically sectioned elevation showingdetails of connecting means between one end of the hub member and one ofthe end flange members as seen on the line 3-1. of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing details of thehub structure as seen on the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of an end portion of the hubshowing one of the latching fingers of the connecting means shown inFIG. 3, as seen on the line 5-5 of said figure.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the latching fingershown in FIGS. 3 and 5, as seen on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view showing details ofthe latching mechanism of the invention as seen on the lines 7-7 of FIG.1.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view, forshortened, and illustratingdetails of another embodiment of latching means of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view of the latching means shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end elevation similar to FIG. 9 and showing aslightly modified further embodiment of the type of latching means shownin FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a portion of thehub of the invention and illustrating an embodiment of connecting meansfor positioning separable portions of said hub.

FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view showing one of the end flangemembers of the invention in position to be connected to an adjacent endof the hub member, the other end flange member having previously beenconnected thereto, certain details of the outersurface of the connectedend flange being omitted for purposes of simplicity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary reel 10comprises a preferably tubular hub member. 12 and similar end flangemembers 14. In the illustration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the type of structureof said hub member 12 and end flange members 14 is best suited formanufacturing from synthetic resin or plastics. Reels of this type, forexample, readily and economically may be manufactured from syntheticresin in sizes, for example, from approximately 12 inches in diameter ofthe end flange members and 6 inches in length from the hub member, up tothe order of several feet in both diameter and length, for example.However, these exemplary dimensions are not to be regarded asrestrictive, but merely illustrative. Further, hub members and endflange members of similar design may be formed from sheet metal, bystamping operations, or from suitable metal which is die-cast,particularly in regard to forming the end flange members, while the hubmember may be formed by extrusion, either from synthetic resin or metal.Further, the foregoing exemplary references to materials likewise arenot to be regarded as restrictive since it is conceivable that theinvention may be adapted to knockdown type reels formed from othermaterials, including combinations of wood and metal, for example.

For purposes of illustration and simplification of the description ofthe invention, it is assumed for exemplary purposes that the hub member12 and end flange members 14 are formed from synthetic resin orplastics. The hub member 12, for example, preferably is tubular and maybe formed either unitarily, or from a plurality of similar sections asshown, for example, in FIG. 4. For example, if formed from a pluralityof sections, such as two, said sections may be formed with reinforcingribs 16 extending longitudinally of said sections adjacent the edgesthereof. A plurality of aligning pins 18 are provided to extend betweenthe ribs 16 in any suitable manner such as by being pressed fitted intosockets in one rib and insertable into closely fitting sockets in theopposite rib. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the hub member 12 may beeither formed from a plurality of parts, or unitary and divided alongone line, the opposite edges of which have complementary halftogetherjoint portions 20 and 22 for purposes of suitably aligning the same. Inview of the fact that the opposite ends of said hub member are receivedwithin appropriate sockets or recesses, described hereinafter, which arefonned in said end of flange members 14, relatively simple aligningmeans such as those illustrated in exemplary manner in FIGS. 4 and 11are highly suitable and adequate for the desired aligning purposes andparticularly for initially positioning the abutting portions of the hubmember 12 incident to arranging the same for insertion into said socketsin the manner described below.

latch members 24 and the inner faces thereof preferably areperpendicular to the exterior surfaces of said latch members for lockingengagement and abutment with complimentary surfaces formed on the end offlange members 114 as described hereinafter. The mate rial from whichthe hub members 12 are formed, whether synthetic resin or metal, forexample, is relatively stiff but nevertheless adequately resilient to beflexible in order to enable the latch members 24 to be flexed, forexample, from the insertion position thereof shown in phantom in FIG. 6,for example, to the latch .ing position shown in full lines in FIG. 6for engagement with the outer surface of the end flange member 14 shownin FIG. 6 in phantom. Further, the outer uppermost corners of thelocking abutments 2b are beveled to form camming surfaces and therebyfacilitate the insertion of the latch members and locking abutments28'thereon within suitable openings, described below, formed within thewalls of the shallow sockets provided in the end of flange members 14.It is preferred that the length of the latch members 2% be adequate toenable the same readily to be flexed in the manner illustrated inexemplary manner in H6. t), without subjecting the members 24 to unduefatigue over long periods of use. Hence, the members 24 should besufficiently short and of suitable width and thickness so as normally tomaintain the same in latched position such as shown in full lines inFIG. 6.

The end flange members 44 preferably comprise disc-like walls 30 whichpreferably are planar, but the invention is not to be restricted to suchfeature since, if desired, the inner surfaces 30 of the members l4 maybe somewhat flatly conical and useful for the coiling of certain typesof strand material thereon, if desired. The end flange members 14 areprovided with shallow sockets 32 which are shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 tobest advantage. Said sockets are defined by short side walls 34 which,in crosssection are complimentary to the shape of the hub member ll2. Asillustrated, the hub member is circular in cross-section but it is to beunderstood ferentially even distances as shown in exemplary manner inFIGS. 1 and 4. Said openings receive the locking abutments 28 when oneend of the hub member 12 is inserted within the socket 32 in each end offlange member 14, The aforementioned camming surfaces on the outercorners of the locking abutments 28 facilitate such insertion and whenthe end of the hub member 12 is fully inserted into the socket 32, theperpendicular inner radial faces of the locking abutments 28 will snapradially outward through the openings 40 and into locking engagementwith the adjacent outer surface of the wall 3d) of each of the end offlange members 14. This arrangement effectively secures the end offlange members 14 to the opposite ends of the hub member 12. Due to thefact however that the outermost surfaces of the locking abutments 28 arefreely exposed within the openings 44) when in such latching position,they may be readily engaged either manually, or by suitable contractingtool, not shown, by which all of the locking abutments 2% may bedepressed simultaneously, for example, to the phantom positions thereofshown in FIG. 6. The end flange members 14 then may be disengaged andremoved from the hub member 12 so that the components may be re-used andreassembled, when desired. This is one of the principal advantageousfeatures of the present invention.

In the construction of reels of the type to which the present inventionpertains, it is quite customary to reinforce the walls lit), forexample, of the end flange members 14 such as by forming a peripheralflange 42 thereon which preferably projects outwardly relative to thehub member l2. Further, additional reinforcement is provided in the formof radial ribs 44 which, preferably, are formed integrally with thewalls 30, on the outer surfaces thereof, and, similarly, the ribs 44 areintegrally connected at the opposite ends thereof respectively with theperipheral flange 42 of each member i4 and also with the exteriorsurfaces of the short side walls 34 which define the shallow sockets 32.For purposes of accommodating the latch members 24 as well as thelocking abutments 28 thereon, particularly for purposes of said lockingabutments 23 having free access to the openings 40in the short sidewalls 34 in which they are formed, it will be seen especially from FIG.ll that said openings and the locking abutments 28 are readilyaccommodated between circumferentially spaced pairs of the radial ribs44 so as not to interfere with such reinforcement. Further, theconnection of the inner ends of the ribs 44 with the short side walls 34assist in bracing the side walls as well as the entire central area ofthe end flange members 14 which receive and are connected respectivelyto the opposite ends of the hub member ll2.

in the embodiment of the invention which has been described hereinabovethe latch members or fingers 24 have been formed integrally with the hubmember 12. Such formation is achieved by the use of preferably parallelslots 26 of equal length, as best shown in FIG. 5. However, referring toH68. 8 and 9, a different embodiment of latch members is illustrated.The hub member 112 is essentially the same as that which is illus tratedand described with respect to the embodiment shown in the precedingfigures except that, on the inner surface of the hub member 12, atcircumferentially spaced locations, pairs of guide ribs 46 are formed,such as by molding or otherwise in such manner as to provide undercutslots 48 which extend axially with respect to the hub member 12. Theslots 4% respectively receive opposite edges of a strip of spring metal50, said slots comprising seat means for said strip. Slots 4% also arein the form of grooves facing each other. The strips fit) are longerthan the hub member 12, whereby predeteirnined short lengths of saidstrips 50 project respectively beyond the opposite ends of the slots 48as well as the ends of the hub member 12. Said projecting ends 52 arebent reversely upon the main section of the strip 50, as clearly shownin FIG. 8, so as to overlie the outer surface of the hub member 12 butpreferably at a very acute angle thereto.

It can be seen especially from FIG. 8 that the formation of theprojecting ends 52 of strips 50 comprise locking abutments which may beemployed in lieu of the locking abutments 28 shown in the precedingembodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-7. Also, it will be understood thatthe projecting ends 52 are of substantially the same length as thelocking abutments 28, whereby the same will be amply accommodated withinthe openings 40 of the short side walls 34 in a manner in which theterminal ends of the projecting ends 52 will abut the outer surfaces ofthe walls 30 of the end flange members 14 in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the locking abutments 28. It also willbe understood that, as a refinement of this embodiment of the invention,the opposite ends of the hub member 12 may be provided with shallowtransverse notches of a depth similar to the thickness of the strips ofmetal 50 so that when the projecting ends 52 are bent in the mannerdescribed, the bight portion thereof will be flush with the end surfacesof the hub member 12, thereby enabling said end surfaces to firmly abutthe inner surface of the planar end wall 36 of the shallow socket 32which receives one of the ends of hub member 12. Further, if necessaryto do so, the rim surfaces of the shallow sockets 32, where engaged bythe projecting ends 52 which comprise latch members for the embodimentof the invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, may be slightly recessed toaccommodate the projecting ends 52 incident to seating the ends of thehub member 12 within the shallow sockets 32, whereby the outer diameterof the hub member 12 may be closely complementary to the inner diameterof the shallow sockets 32 in the end flange members 14 and therebyprovide relatively tight engagement therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 10, a slightly modified version of the embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is illustrated and in which the hubmember 12, for example, is provided on its inner surface with a shallow,axially extending recess 54 which receives the strip of spring metal 50of the type shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and permits the projecting ends 52 tobe bent over relative to the outer surface of the hub member 12 in themanner such as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 8and 9. The shallow recess 54 is ad equate to readily position thelatching strip 50 with re spect to the hub member 12. Further, theadditional refinements described above relative to FIGS. 8 and 9, withrespect to the additional end knotches in the hub member 12 and thelike, apply to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa knockdown reel which may be formed from various types of material andincludes latch means of such nature that they not only effectivelysecure the end flange members 14 to the opposite ends of hub member 12but, of equal if not more importance as far as the prior art isconcerned, the latch members may readily be disengaged from the openingswhich receive the locking abutments thereof, thereby permitting the endflange members to be disengaged from each other and thereby restore thecomponents of the reel to their initial, separate natures, withoutdamage to any of the members, thereby enabling the same to be compactlyshipped or stored until re-use of the reels is desired. While thedisengagement of the latch members may be effected manually, theyreadily adapt themselves to being actuated simultaneously in retractingdirection by the employment of relatively simple tools.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

1.. A knockdown reel comprising in combination, a tubular hub member, apair of similar end flange members each having a short sidewallextending axially from the outer surface thereof and complementary incrosssectional shape to the ends of said hub member and adaptedrespectively to telescopically engage opposite ends of said hub member,and releasable locking means on the telescopically engaging portions ofsaid hub member and short sidewall of said end flange members comprisingyieldable latch elements having radially extending locking abutmentsthereon arranged at circumferentially spaced locations on thetelescopically engaging portions of one of said members and radiallyextending openings in the telescopically engaging portion of the othermember arranged complementarily to receive said locking abutments ofsaid one member and latch the end flange members releasably to theopposite ends of said hub member, said locking abutments beingaccessible through said radial openings adjacent the outer surfaces ofsaid end flange members for engagement to move said abutments radiallyin disengaging direction to permit separation of said end flange membersfrom said hub for compact packaging and storage of said reel components.

2. The reel according to claim 1 in which said latch elements are onsaid hub member and said radially extending openings are in said shortsidewalls on said end flange members.

3. The reel according to claim 2 in which said latch elements aresubstantially co-extensive in length with the ends of said hub memberand comprise tongues defined by pairs of slots extending radially intothe opposite ends of said hub members.

4. The reel according to claim 1 in which said short sidewalls on saidend flange members comprise walls defining shallow sockets formed insaid members and extending outwardly from the outer surfaces of said endflange members and perpendicularly to the planes of said end flangemembers.

5. The reel according to claim 4 in which said sockets further aredefined by bottom walls parallel to the planes of said end flangemembers and disposed outwardly therefrom when said end flange membersare connected to opposite ends of said hub member, whereby said shortsidewalls defining the circumference of said shallow sockets whichextend axially outward from the outer surfaces of said end flangemembers dispose the radial openings which extend through said sidewallsin positions which readily expose said locking abutments of said latchelements for engagement to depress the same from said openings andthereby permit separation of said end flange members from said hubmember.

6. The reel according to claim in which the depth of said shallowsockets between the outer surface of said end flange members and theinner surfaces of said bottom walls of said sockets is substantiallyequal to length of said locking abutments of said latch members and saidabutments project radially outward beyond the outer surface of said hubmember's.

7. The reel according to claim 5 in which said hub member has seat meansformed therein at least adjacent opposite ends thereof and said latchmembers comprising spring metal inserts fastened to said hub 10 memberand'having locking abutments formed on one end thereof. 7 Y

8. The reel according to claim 7 in which said seat means comprisegrooves extending axially along the inner surface of said tubular hubmember at circumferentially spaced locations and said latch memberscomprise spring metal strips extending longitudinally within saidgrooves and the ends of said strips being bent reversely upon the outersurface of said hub member at an acute angle to the outer surfacethereof to constitute the locking abutments for said hub member.

1. A knockdown reel comprising in combination, a tubular hub member, apair of similar end flange members each having a short sidewallextending axially from the outer surface thereof and complementary incross-sectional shape to the ends of said hub member and adaptedrespectively to telescopically engage opposite ends of said hub member,and releasable locking means on the telescopically engaging portions ofsaid hub member and short sidewall of said end flange members comprisingyieldable latch elements having radially extending locking abutmentsthereon arranged at circumferentially spaced locations on thetelescopically engaging portions of one of said members and radiallyextending openings in the telescopically engaging portion of the othermember arranged complementarily to receive said locking abutments ofsaid one member and latch the end flange members releasably to theopposite ends of said hub member, said locking abutments beingaccessible through said radial openings adjacent the outer surfaces ofsaid end flange members for engagement to move said abutments radiallyin disengaging direction to permit separation of said end flange membersfrom said hub for compact packaging and storage of said reel components.2. The reel according to claim 1 in which said latch elements are onsaid hub member and said radially extending openings are in said shortsidewalls on said end flange members.
 3. The reel according to claim 2in which said latch elements are substantially co-extensive in lengthwith the ends of said hub member and comprise tongues defined by pairsof slots extending radially into the opposite ends of said hub members.4. The reel according to claim 1 in which said short sidewalls on saidend flange members comprise walls defining shallow sockets formed insaid members and extending outwardly from the outer surfaces of said endflange members and perpendicularly to the planes of said end flangemembers.
 5. The reel according to claim 4 in which said sockets furtherare defined by bottom walls parallel to the planes of said end flangemembers and disposed outwardly therefrom when said end flange membersare connected to opposite ends of said hub member, whereby said shortsidewalls defining the circumference of said shallow sockets whichextend axially outward from the outer surfaces of said end flangemembers dispose the radial openings which extend through said sidewallsin positions which readily expose said locking abutments of said latchelements for engagement to depress the same from said openings andthereby permit separation of said end flange members from said hubmember.
 6. The reel according to claim 5 in which the depth of saidshallow sockets between the outer surface of said end flange members andthe inner surfaces of said bottom walls of said sockets is substantiallyequal to length of said locking abutments of said latch members and saidabutments project radially outward beyond the outer surface of said hubmembers.
 7. The reel according to claim 5 in which said hub member hasseat means formed therein at least adjacent opposite ends thereof andsaid latch members comprising spring metal inserts fastened to said hubmember and having locking abutments formed on one end thereof.
 8. Thereel according to claim 7 in which said seat means comprise groovesextending axially along the inner surface of said tubular hub member atcircumferentially spaced locations and said latch members comprisespring metal strips extending longitudinally within said grooves and theends of said strips being bent reversely upon the outer surface of saidhub member at an acute angle to the outer surface thereof to constitutethe locking abutments for said hub member.